For seniors faced with the prospect of leaving their home for a retirement community or assisted living facility there's a new kind of elder care program/concept that can help them stay put.
It's called "villages," and they can work like a hotel concierge where seniors are one phone call away from a wide variety of services that helps them remain living in their own home. (While there are currently only a dozen or so of these programs in the United States, the village concept is growing rapidly as more people learn about it and because these programs can be started by individual community members and neighborhood groups as well as businesses and municipalities.) The services offered come from local businesses, community resources and volunteers and typically include: transportation; errand running; grocery shopping; home delivered meals; house-hold chores; home repairs; home-health services; and a variety of social and cultural activities at local churches, schools or community centers.
To receive these services seniors become a village member and pay yearly dues. The membership fees cover the concierge service and connections to reliable, pre-screened services, along with some basic services such as information assistance, rides from volunteers, and group activities like exercise classes and lectures.
To find out if your community offers a program similar to this, call your area agency on aging, or call (800) 677-1116 to get your local number. If there's not one, encourage them to get one started.
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HOW TO APPLY FOR THE AID & ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PENSION
There is much information that needs to be gathered and prepared when applying for the Aid & Attendance Special Pension. We have compiled a list of the documents you will need, as well as links to download some of the VA and Government Forms that you will need. While it may seem to be a daunting task, we recommend that you read through this site to better your understanding of the application process to be prepared before you speak with any Veterans' Affairs Office.
To apply for the Aid & Attendance Special Pension, you will need the following documents. Prepare these before making your filing.
Discharge/Separation Papers (DD-214). If you need to request military records, you can either fill out Standard Form 180 (right click to save) or, you can visit http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html. Full instructions on how to request military records is listed on that site.
Copy of Marriage Certificate and all marital information (surviving spouses only).
Copy of the Death Certificate (surviving spouses only).
Copy of current Social Security Award Letter (the letter that Social Security send at the beginning of the year stating what your monthly amount will be for the following year).
Net Worth information, including bank accounts, CDs, Trusts, Stocks, Bonds, Annuities, etc.
Proof of all income from pensions, retirement, interest income from investments, annuities, etc.
If you are a court-appointed guardian of the veteran or surviving spouse, a certified copy of the court order of the appointment is required.
Proof of insurance premiums, medications, medical bills or any other medical expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
Physician statement that includes current diagnosis, medical status, prognosis, name and address, ability to care for self, ability to travel unattended, etc. If you are a veteran in a nursing home, or a family member of a veteran in a nursing home, you can use this form as a certification of that status (right click to save): Nursing Home Status Statement
Banking information for Direct Deposit of A&A monthly payments (include a voided check).
Employment history (does not apply if you are over 65).
List of all doctors and hospitals visited in the last year.
Once you have this information compiled, you will need to obtain and complete VA Form 21-526 and/or VA Form 21-534 for Special Pension benefits with Aid & Attendance. These forms can be downloaded in PDF format here (right click to save):
VA Form 21-526
VA Form 21-534
Now that you have all your information, follow the instructions on Form 21-526 or Form 21-534 to file for your Aid & Attendance Special Pension. In most cases, you will send the information to your local or regional Veterans' Administration. If you need assistance with filing your paperwork, you can contact the VA, however, be prepared to encounter someone who is not knowledgeable about this benefit and may provide inaccurate information. We encourage you to explore all the available options and services provided through the VA and service agencies to find the option that’s right for you and your circumstances.
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